FRANCES THE MUTE

For coming out in 2001 The Mars Volta caught many people off gaurd. I think in a good way though. If you are a total prog head then you would probably rate this a 3 or 2.But I'm going to give this a for sure 5star rating given the year this record was made and the intelligence invested in it. Sometimes the music may be very spastic and harsh on the ears but I love it. You name a great prog band thats at least a little exposed, not to mainstream, but have hits like L'via and The Widow now-a-days... The Mars Volta. I saw them live twice and It was different and enjoyable.But anyway about the album. Lets start w/L'via & The Widow because they deserve to be started with. Both make great hits, w/ catchy vocal melodies, mathmatical guitar playing and a talented and technical drummer. The sound of salsa and real Hard Rock is a great mix to. The amount of energy in L'via is insane and Cedrics voice is like an orgasm in a drag race. The Widow has great lyrics and the voice melody is somewhat genius. Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus has a brain scattering guitar part and when the guitar solo comes in the energy and passion that is shown blew me away. Also again when Cedric comes in with his voice he blew me away again with the melody, the Lyrics, oh ya. The time signature changes and Key signature changes are I think an essential to this music and prog in general. I can't go on anymore and I don't want to get to "in depth" with all the little things in this album, Cause everything is great. Again, I cut the band some slack for thier daring risk with the music now-a-days. The Mars Volta are great artist!